Deputy Minister, Correctional Services

Jay C. Hope, O.O.M.

Jay C. Hope was appointed Deputy Minister of Correctional Services on July 9, 2008. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Hope served as Deputy Minister, Emergency Planning and Management, Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services since January 7, 2008 and Commissioner of Community Safety from November 2006.

Mr. Hope had the honour of becoming the country's first black officer appointed to the ranks of chief of police when he was appointed Deputy Commissioner in the Ontario Provincial Police on November 14, 2004. Deputy Minister Hope remains a serving police officer currently on long-term secondment to the Government of Ontario.

As Deputy Minister of Correctional Services, Mr. Hope is responsible for adult institutions, community corrections and organizational effectiveness.

A strong proponent of education, Mr. Hope has a four-year Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and certificates in Strategic Change, Human Resources Management and Police Management from various Ontario universities.

Among his many awards and accolades, Mr. Hope is proudest of being a recipient of the 2006 Officer of the Order of Merit of Police Forces, having received an Amethyst Award and the prestigious Harry Jerome Award. In 2004, Mr. Hope was awarded a human rights medal for his innovative diversity practices as Director of Human Resources within the Ontario Provincial Police. In 2008, Deputy Minister Hope was warmly received before the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence as one of only two individuals responsible for emergency management across the country.